I’m Officially Certified in UX Writing!

As I’ve mentioned in a recent post, UX localization is an essential skill for linguists in today’s digital world. 

Since I often localize online websites, products and software, I decided to take a 3 month-long course on UX localization to elevate my skills. Here’s how my new knowledge can help you reach your target Swedish users!

About the UX Writing Course

UX Writing 101 Course for Localization Experts” is an in-depth course held by Localization Station. During these lessons, I got a more comprehensive understanding of UX writing strategies, including:

  • Tailoring microcopy for audiences, including CTAs, error messages and forms
  • Leveraging good global writing techniques
  • Honing in on tone and voice
  • Utilizing industry-best tools 
  • Handling common issues, such as formality, spacing and gender

After completing this course, I feel much more confident in applying UX localization techniques to enhance my own Swedish-English translations.  

Why UX Writing Skills Are Useful

UX writing can make or break the success of your product launch. After taking this UX localization course, I’m thrilled to help your brand connect with Swedish audiences. 

1. Achieve User-First Copy

To start, UX writing skills are focused on creating a seamless user experience. In this way, your brand can produce a strong connection with your target users. 

To make this happen, linguists must tailor all aspects of the copy with the brand voice. This includes key values such as clarity, readability, usability, writing best practices, cultural know-how, linguistics conventions and more. 

During the UX writing course, we analyzed real-life scenarios for enhancing quality for users. We looked at common webpages, such as CTAs, error messages and forms, as well as issues including tone, voice and formality. 

2. Adapt My Writing to Fit the Project

Every localization project is unique. With a more global understanding of UX, I feel better prepared to customize my writing according to the project requirements. 

During the course, we broke down UX writing into three essential categories: fluency (or “naturalness”), usability (or “helpfulness”) and personality (or “uniqueness”). It’s important to have all these elements incorporated in localization, so that the brand voice shines through without any interruptions to usability. 

3. Analyze UX Copy to Drive Results

It’s not enough to craft top UX copy. Linguists should also be able to analyze and identify ways to improve and iterate it. 

In the course, we discussed how to evaluate UX copy and the challenges of tinkering it to drive results. It helps to use the right UX tools and closely collaborate with the product team in order to boost quality in the long term.

4. Enhance Collaboration With the Product Team

Speaking the “same UX language” as the product team is highly advantageous. Now I have a strong sense of what questions to ask and how to discuss my writing choices with the general team. 

Ensuring close collaboration also reduces the risk of a product launch to a new market. During globalization initiatives, companies tend to make brand-damaging decisions that are difficult to correct. Just consider HSBC’s $10 million mistake in mistranslating their new slogan “Assume Nothing” as “Do Nothing” in other languages.

By having the same vocabulary and insights as the product team, linguists can help ensure a smooth workflow and a high-quality end result.  

Hire a Swedish Linguist With UX Writing Experience

Even though I have 18+ years of experience as an English-Swedish translator, I constantly aim to refine my skill set. To this end, I’ve completed professional certifications including:

  • ATA Certification for English to Swedish
  • MITI Qualified Member Certification
  • SEMRush Certification in Content Marketing and iSEO
  • Swedish Copywriting Certification
  • … and more!

Through these courses, I’ve become an expert in translation best practices, Swedish writing and SEO research, among other topics. What’s more, I’ve successfully completed Swedish localization for industry-leading marketing products and online software. Take a look at my client portfolio and get in touch to discuss your next Swedish UX localization project!

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